“The Gregg method is completely phonetic,” Elena explained. “It records the sound of the word, not the actual spelling.” She finished transcribing, put the pencil down, and looked up. “Miss Kirk wroteLabyrinth Springs Hotel and Spa.”
Lyra’s eyes widened. “You’re sure?”
Elena glanced down at her notes. “As sure as I can be under the circumstances.”
“Why would Raina meet an acquaintance at a spa?” Oliver said.
Luther went very still. “Maybe she isn’t meeting an acquaintance. Maybe that was an excuse. Maybe she checked in for personal reasons. What if she recently learned that she’s ill, and she didn’t want to tell me? She’s undergoing one of those bizarre so-called cures they feature at health spas.”
“Please don’t panic, Mr. Pell,” Lyra said. “That is not a useful emotion at the moment.”
Everyone stared at her. Simon knew they were all thinking the same thing: No one told Luther Pell not to panic.
Luther shut up and started pacing again.
Simon looked at him. “Keep in mind that we don’t know if Miss Kirk made that note on the pad this morning. She could have jotted it down yesterday or the day before.”
Elena shook her head. “I think it’s safe to say she wrote this today. There’s an entry on the previous page that refers to her reservations for dinner for two here at the hotel last night.”
“Raina took me out for dinner last night,” Lyra said. “After that we went to the Paradise. You’re right, Elena. The note about the Labyrinth Springs Hotel and Spa must have been written early this morning.”
Oliver looked at Luther. “If Raina had a sudden, serious concern about her health, I doubt very much that she would have chosen the Labyrinth Springs Hotel and Spa.”
“Mr. Ward is right,” Lyra said.
Irene looked thoughtful. “Yes, he is.”
“I agree,” Elena said.
“Why are you all so sure of that?” Simon asked.
“Because it’s not a health spa.” Lyra unfolded her arms and widened her hands. “It used to specialize in old-fashioned water cures, but a year ago Edith Guppy, the founder of Guppy’s House of Beauty, closed her New York day spa and opened one in Labyrinth Springs.”
“That’s a resort town in the foothills several miles from Palm Springs,” Irene said.
Simon nodded. “I’ve heard of it.”
“That old hotel in Labyrinth Springs was on its last legs a few years ago,” Oliver said. “I considered buying and renovating it myself, but I decided I liked Burning Cove a lot more than I liked the desert. Winters are all right, but in the summer you might as well shut your doors. About eighteen months ago a wealthy New York investor named Billingsley came along and picked up the place for a song. He poured a lot of cash into the hotel and completely renovated the old spa. Guppy moved in a year ago. Got to admit, affiliating with Guppy’s House of Beauty was a stroke of genius on Billingsley’s part.”
“The Labyrinth Springs Hotel and Spa has become popular with celebrities and socialites from Los Angeles in the past year,” Elena said. “Men play golf and tennis. Women often go alone or with a female friend to take advantage of the special Day of Beauty at Guppy’s spa. Clients can book as many days as they want, of course. Most select the three-day option, which includes the hotel room.”
Lyra didn’t sayI told you so, but she shot Simon a smile that could only be labeled triumphant.
He sighed. “All right, I’ll bite. How did you know about Guppy’s House of Beauty?”
Lyra, Elena, and Irene stared at him as if he were from some other planet.
“Are you kidding?” Lyra said. “Every woman in the country who readsVogueorHarper’s Bazaaror any major newspaper knows theGuppy brand. Ads for Madam Guppy’s signature perfume and her beauty products show up in all the best fashion magazines.”
“I see,” Simon said, feeling suddenly outgunned.
Oliver gave him a pitying glance. “Look on the bright side. Next time you have an occasion to purchase perfume for a lady, you’ll know which brand to buy.”
It occurred to Simon that he had never bought perfume for a woman. Flowers, yes. Drinks, yes. Dinner at fashionable restaurants, yes. But not perfume.
Lyra gave him a smile that was a little too sweet. “If you want to make an impression, be sure you buy Guppy’ssignatureperfume.”
He eyed her warily. “Which is?”
